(See video below of Hoover Tower, one of the Stanford landmarks Steve Svekis and I checked out when the Dolphins played at Oakland on Thanksgiving weekend. We actually crossed paths with Luck and Harbaugh as the Cardinal went through the first part of its late-afternoon walk-through; unfortunately, the ol’ Flip cam wasn’t working at that moment. So, you get the fountain and the tower instead in my “Salute to Rick Steves.”)

Here’s a semi-stunner: Andrew Luck, widely projected as the No. 1 overall pick in this April’s NFL draft, is returning to Stanford for his junior year.

Luck plans to earn his degree in architectural design, and is on track to graduate in the spring of 2012 (of course).

It’s only a semi-stunner because Luck comes from a family that highly values education — dad Oliver Luck was a Rhodes Scholar at West Virginia, where he is now the athletic director — and Stanford is an idyllic place. Oh, and some believe this 12-1 football team has a shot at the national championship next season.

One other factor: With a lockout coming and after that most likely a far more restrictive rookie wage scale, Luck doesn’t know the landscape he’d be stepping into.

So no Luck to Carolina (or whichever team trades for the pick) this April.

That’s great news for Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton, Ryan Mallett, Jake Locker and the other quarterbacks who could move into the first round in a QB-starved league. But what does it mean for Harbaugh?

The Dolphins are preparing a package that by some estimates could soar as high as $60 million over eight years, but what if Harbaugh prefers to coach Luck for one last year? What if he prefers to angle them as a package — the coach and the rookie QB — a year from now, when the NFL world will be much easier to understand after the dust settles?

Didn’t Mike Krzyzewski once turn down a $40 million deal from the Lakers to coach Kobe Bryant? It’s not like it hasn’t happened before.

Personally, I’m with those who feel Harbaugh is NFL-bound. That’s where his older brother, John, works, and the sibling rivalry between those two is off the charts. Has been since they were toddling around in short pants.

But Luck is pretty special. Check out what Harbaugh said about his 6-5 QB on the eve of that Orange Bowl blowout win over Virginia Tech:

“Whatever I tell him, he absorbs it so quickly,” Harbaugh said. “Can take it from the chalkboard right out to the field and do it exactly the way you explained it and very few times will make a mistake. And when he does, he very rarely makes it again. He’s just so sharp mentally, so quick-minded. And then just the easy personality to be around.”

OK, pay attention to this next part.

“He’ s like a dolphin,” Harbaugh said. “You know, it’s really smart. He’s always having fun and he’s laughing and joking, and it’s just a great mix of focus and being loose at the same time that you can’t help but love being around that kind of demeanor.”

Wait a second: “Like a dolphin?”

Of all the species he could have mentioned there, Harbaugh had to say “dolphin???”

Wow, Steve Ross and Co. really must have been annoying the heck out of him over the weekend — and probably from the minute the Stanford jet landed in South Florida. Don’t believe that stuff about Ross being “out of the country” over the weekend as the Dolphins wrapped up their 7-9 season with a miserable showing at New England.

The man was right here in South Florida (a source says) — stalking his prey (my gut instinct).

By the way, on the same Dec. 10 night Ross was dragging Tony Sparano and the entire Dolphins traveling party out to dinner and a show (“Lombardi”), guess who was holed up in a Midtown Manhattan hotel just a few blocks away?

Yep, Heisman Trophy finalist Andrew Luck (runner-up that next night) and his college coach, Jim Harbaugh.

You don’t suppose Ross put on that whole attention-grabbing display just for the benefit of … Nah.

Comments (605 Comments)

There is one situation worse, if it helps some of you, Mike Brown / Marvin Lewis’ extended union. Mike Brown, one arrogant SOB. Marvin Lewis, can you say ” take the money and run”…. or stay in this situation.

Too true. Which QB would you go with now for them? Mallet looked pretty good the other night but maybe they want the elusive type in Newton? Hell, they may pull a Houston and pick someone else and hope for improvement from Clausen. I dont see it but who knows. Didnt keep up with them cause I knew Fox was a lameduck. Karma stomped my ass didnt it?

Ross, Ireland, and Sparano you guys all stink. We have to watch these freakin morons run our team for another year. This is just ridiculous beyond comprehension. I’m embarassed and disgusted to be a Dolphin fan right now. This team really needed a new direction after the past two years of mediority. I can’t believe we missed out on 3 high profile coaches in Gruden, Cohwer, and Harbaugh because of our lunatic owner. We might as well have brought back Dave Wannstedt and Rick Spielman to run the franchise, atleast we know the offense could score points when they were around. This is just pathetic all around. I’m not watching these clowns next year, just to save myself from a heart attack.

The Miami Heat have officially taken over as the main attraction in this city. We are now a basketball city. I don’t see why anyone would want to go to a Dolphins game next year when we have a championship calibur basketball team in the Miami Heat. I don’t have any problem investing my money in watching the Heat play. They are a much more exciting product to watch and are more consistent when it comes to winning games. Shame on the Dolphins.

Let’s not forget folks, Miami is not as appealing to live near as many might think.
Unless you are looking for a Reality Kings Adventure or a retirement home near a NYer it may not be for everyone. It was not a fit for Harbaugh I believe because of the city / location – period. We will never have a home field advantage.

If we are going with micromanaging Sparano and Ireland then basically all we can hope for is that they manage to recruit the remaining pieces or most of the remaining pieces needed – assuming they keep Nolan.
1. We have to fix the OL (Sparano should be capable of this), bring in a fast young RB for change-up and punt returns, get an upgrade at TE
2. If we can get a first-rate QB in the draft we should – probably the highest priority. I doubt they will pull this off, though. Will not impact next year and would at best be a backup but would lay an alternative foundation if Henne does not turn it around. Failing that there are some competent QBs out there including the much maligned Donovan McNabb – who would likely be fine with Marshall if he had some OL.
3. Bring in a first rate OC, QB coach and ST coaches

From there we see if they can turn it around to make us a true contender or not. If not then we see who is available.

As far as Cowher goes – I understand why he would want to control football operations. Ireland has been a mixed bag – some great acquisitions like Dansby, Marshall, Wake and some great draft picks like Long but all in all he has done better with free agents than draft pick considering busts like Turner and White. I would have been okay giving Cowher control over football operations. My concern with Cowher is that it takes a multi-year focused workaholic life to generate a SB team and while he has done it once there are not a lot of guys with the staying power of a Shula to be able to do it a second time.

OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
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IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More